Google to Spend Millions on Developing Renewable Energy Google Inc. plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to develop renewable energy as part of a plan to clean the environment and reduce the company's own power bill. In 2008, Google will invest tens of millions of dollars in renewable power, spread over research and development. It plans to foster innovation in solar, wind, and geothermal technology in the hopes of making green energy cheaper than power produced by burning coal...[MORE]

Johnson Controls Sets Aggressive Greenhouse-Gas Emissions-Reduction Goal As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Leaders program, Johnson Controls pledged to reduce its total U.S. greenhouse-gas-emissions intensity per dollar of revenue by 30 percent from 2002 to 2012. Companies participating in the Climate Leaders program complete a corporatewide inventory of their greenhouse-gas emissions based on a quality-management system, setting reduction goals and annually reporting their progress to the EPA...[MORE]

News from Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International

AMCA International approves AMCA 511-07 (Rev. 10/07) Section 16, Air Performance Product Rating Requirements for Spiral Ducts AMCA International approved Section 16 of AMCA 511-07, adding a certified ratings program (CRP) for spiral ducting. This new program will be utilized in the testing of air-leakage ratings...[MORE]

AMCA International Approves Standard 540-07, Test Method for Louvers Impacted by Wind Borne Debris AMCA International adopted AMCA Standard 540-07. This standard establishes a uniform method for laboratory testing of louvers that are impact-tested with a large missile described in ASTM E 1996-04 and E 1886-05. The scope of this standard is for impact testing of louvers used on the outside of buildings...[MORE]

AMCA International Reaffirmed Publication 203-90 (R2007), Field Performance Measurement of Fan Systems AMCA International Laboratory reaffirmed AMCA Publication 203-90, Field Performance Measurement of Fan Systems. Recommendations in this publication may be applied to centrifugal, axial, and mixed-flow fans in ducted or non-ducted installations used for HVAC, mechanical draft, industrial process, and duct collection...[MORE]

Service-Life and Maintenance-Cost Database The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers released a free online database with equipment service life and annual maintenance costs for a variety of building types and HVAC systems. The database contains more than 300 building types and 38,000 pieces of equipment with service-life data. Users can access up-to-date information to determine a range of statistical values for equipment owning and operating costs...[MORE]

Study Details How U.S. Could Cut 28 Percent of Greenhouse Gases According to a report conducted by McKinsey & Company for DTE Energy, industries in the U.S. could cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 28 percent by making small changes in the lighting, heating, and cooling of buildings. The report covers conflicts, as well as energy-efficient solutions, such as utilities promoting conservation, emissions limits, and incentives such as tax breaks for efficient buildings, cars, and appliances...[MORE]

EGB to Return to Vegas in 2008! Produced and managed by HPAC Engineering, the fifth annual Engineering Green Buildings (EGB) Conference and Expo will return to the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas in 2008. EGB 2008 will be held Oct. 21 and 22.

The EGB Conference and Expo is the only green-design event focused on green engineering applications as they apply to mechanical systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. Last year's event attracted more than 300 participants, including mechanical-system designers and specifiers and manufacturers demonstrating the green characteristics and applications of their mechanical systems, components, equipment, products, technology, and services.

Individuals interested in attending or exhibiting at EGB 2008 should contact Jeff Ferenc, conference manager, at 312-848-8405 or jeff.ferenc@penton.com...[MORE]

HPAC Engineering Co-Sponsor of Global Engineering Conference Designed for global consulting and design engineers, Carrier Corp.'s 10th Global Engineering Conference, co-sponsored by HPAC Engineering, will feature new technology and engineering topics in the HVAC industry. The event will focus on designing and building for sustainability and will take place April 9-11 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas...[MORE]

WQA Aquatech USA 2008 The Water Quality Association's education conference WQA Aquatech USA 2008 is set for March 25-28 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Mandalay Bay. Those attending will find hands-on tradeshow-floor education and business education, as well as three keynotes and education on the fundamentals for those new to the industry. This year, additional emphasis will be on industrial water treatment. A special networking event entitled "Industrial Speed Dating" is designed to bring together companies involved in industrial water treatment...[MORE]